PuCl3
Plutonium chloride
Pu3+ balances chloride ions.
What Is the Charge of Plutonium?
Plutonium commonly forms Pu3+ Pu4+ Pu5+ Pu6+ in introductory ionic compounds.
Quick answer: Plutonium usually has a common ionic charge of +3 or +4 or +5 or +6, written as Pu3+ or Pu4+ or Pu5+ or Pu6+.
| Element | Plutonium |
|---|---|
| Symbol | Pu |
| Atomic number | 94 |
| Common ionic charge | +3, +4, +5, +6 |
| Common ions | Pu3+, Pu4+, Pu5+, Pu6+ |
Why Plutonium has this charge
Plutonium is an actinide. Its chemistry can be specialized, but +3, +4, +5, +6 is the most useful introductory reference range.
This is a classroom reference range, not an exhaustive list of all oxidation states.
Plutonium charge examples
Pu2O3
Plutonium oxide
Plutonium can form oxides where total positive and negative charge balances.
FAQ
Is Plutonium charge the same as oxidation state?
Ionic charge is the charge on an actual ion. Oxidation state is a bookkeeping number used inside compounds. They can match, but they are not always the same thing.
How do I use this in formulas?
Combine positive and negative ions so the total charge is zero. You can also use the ionic compound calculator.
Where can I see the full chart?
Use the periodic table with charges or the ionic charges chart.